telus code of ethics & conduct · we encourage every member of our team to review this document...
TRANSCRIPT
Table of contents Introduction 4 Responsibilities 5
All TELUS Team Members 5
Compliance/Exceptions 5
Waivers 5
Leaders 6
Team members with internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure control roles 6
Members of the TELUS Board of Directors 6
Ethics Office 6
Integrity Work Group 6 Ethical Decision Making 7
1. Questions to Ask Yourself 7
2. Talk to Your Leader 7
3. Expert Assistance 7
4. TELUS EthicsLine 8
5. Last Resort Resolution 9 Ethical Guidelines 10
Information of Team TELUS and other Parties 10
Privacy of Communications 10
Confidentiality of Information 10 Integrity 12
Personal and Corporate Integrity 12
Compliance with Laws 12
Competing Ethically/Lawfully/Fairly 12
Dealing with Governments 13
Political Activities 14
Proprietary Rights and Assets of Others 14
Human Rights 14
Health and Safety 15
Involvement in a Legal Matter 15
Environment 15
Sustainability 15
Improper Influence on the Conduct of Audits 16 Company Assets and Information 16
Company Information 17
Public Disclosure 17
Business Records 17
Financial Transactions 18
Safeguarding Assets 18
Intellectual Property 18
Personal Use of Communication Devices 18 Conflict of Interest 20
Personal Gain 21 Outside employment and non-TELUS activities 22
Future TELUS Business 22
Information 22
Insider Trading 22
Gifts and Benefits 22 Dealing with Suppliers 26
Selecting Suppliers 26
Adherence to applicable TELUS policies 26
Review Guidelines and Policies 27
All TELUS team members: All TELUS team members: At TELUS, we share a commitment to delivering on our brand promise of making the future
friendly for all our stakeholders. We have built an award-winning, globally leading culture that
is inclusive, transparent and supports our shared responsibility to hold ourselves and each
other to an ethical standard that is individually and collectively above reproach. Our extended
TELUS family, including our contractors, suppliers, vendors, community partners and
members of our Board of Directors, is equally responsible for demonstrating this level of
personal and professional integrity.
Our longstanding commitment to fostering a culture that values continuous learning has
ensured that our Code of Ethics & Conduct supports educating our entire team as to the
ethical standards expected of all team members. The Code covers an extensive range
of topics from conflict of interest and the acceptance of gifts and benefits to the
protection of company assets and information. Whilst comprehensive in nature, the
Code is not exhaustive and it is our expectation that you will leverage the basic policies
and standards within this guide to underpin your actions.
We encourage every member of our team to review this document carefully, integrating these
guidelines into your everyday behaviours and actions when interacting with your fellow team
members, our customers and our communities. You are the ambassadors of our brand and
the keepers of our future friendly promise. Our culture of integrity relies on you demonstrating
the grit and commitment required to embody our TELUS everyday values and embrace these
ethical standards each and every day.
Darren Entwistle President and Chief Executive Officer
John Gossling Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Sandy McIntosh Executive Vice-President People & Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer
3 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Our commitmentis to putting ourcustomers first
At TELUS we putour values intopractice every day
Introduction Why do we have a Code?
Our Code outlines the behaviours that we must exhibit in order to meet and uphold TELUS’ ethical and conduct standards.
TELUS’ Code of Ethics & Conduct (the “Code”) applies to TELUS Corporation and all of its subsidiaries (“TELUS” or the “Company”),
and to all members of the Board of Directors (“Board”), officers and employees of TELUS (referred to as “team members”). The
Code constitutes a term of the employment contract of all TELUS team members.
Team members are required to familiarize themselves with the Code and the standards within that apply to their role at TELUS. Each
team member is required to take any required ethics and compliance courses in a timely manner. The Code cannot address every
possible situation, so it is up to team members to use good judgment and seek help whenever they have questions or are not sure
about the right course of action.
Team members are reminded that TELUS reserves the right to revoke or amend any terms of the Code if required by the needs of the
business. TELUS will notify team members of any amendments to the Code prior to the changes becoming effective. Team members
are required to periodically review this Code (at least annually) to remain familiar with its terms. To assist this review, team members are
required to complete the Integrity training module each year.
This Code is available on the Company’s intranet, and is publicly available at about.telus.com/governance/ethics.html.
4 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
5 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Responsibilities All TELUS Team Members All team members are expected to act honestly in all their dealings, comply with the laws
governing our businesses, and maintain an ethical work environment. This standard requires
that each member of our team understand and apply the guidelines in this Code to everyday
actions and decisions.
At TELUS, we not only do things right, but we should strive to do the right things. Each team
member must take responsibility for their actions including:
Observance of the guidelines outlined in this and other company policies wherever in
the world we are working
Compliance with applicable local laws
Making a commitment by reading, understanding and abiding by the Code
All business activities should be able to stand up to any possible public scrutiny and further
investigation if required.
The guidelines in this Code are based upon generally accepted standards of ethical business
conduct and applicable laws. The absence of a guideline covering a particular situation does
not relieve any of us from the responsibility for acting ethically and within the law.
Compliance/Exceptions In situations where the right ethical behaviour is unclear, or where there may be the appearance of a contravention of these guidelines,
we support each other in seeking advice and clarification. If you are unsure as to the ethical course of action to take in a particular
situation, you should first discuss the situation with your leader (supporting manager) or the applicable department identified in this
Code. Team members should retain all documentation and save a written record of the guidance provided by their leader or members
of other departments and any decision made in the event there is a future investigation with respect to a possible violation of the Code.
If you become aware of a possible violation of the Code, you are required to report it to the Ethics Office. For more details, please refer
to the TELUS EthicsLine section. Members of the TELUS Board may also advise the Chair of the Board of potential violations. The
Chair will refer the matter to the Ethics Office for investigation, resolution and reporting. Possible violation of applicable laws will be
directed to Legal Services for review and investigation.
Failure to act in accordance with the guidelines outlined in this Code may have consequences for the individual team members, may
create potential harm to TELUS’ reputation and brand, and may put TELUS at risk for civil or criminal liability. Individual consequences
may include disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal for just cause, as well as civil and criminal penalties. Therefore, please
regard the requirement to understand and to act in accordance with the TELUS’ Code as a very serious obligation.
Waivers It is not intended that there be any waivers to this Code. In the unlikely event that a waiver is considered and granted for an executive
leadership team (“ELT”) member or a member of the Board, it must receive prior written approval by the Board or its delegate. The
delegate must be a Board committee member. In such circumstances, any waivers granted to an ELT member or member of the
Board must be disclosed, subject to the TELUS Policy on Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information.
In the unlikely event that a waiver is considered for team members other than an ELT member or a member of the Board, prior written
approval must be received from the Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary together
with the Vice President Risk Management & Chief Internal Auditor and must be promptly reported to the Audit Committee of the
Board.
We not only do thingsright, but we should striveto do the right things
Know the Code
Understand the Code
Utilize available resources
Comply with the Code
As team members, wehave an onus to reportsuspected and actualviolations of this Code,company policy andthe law
An Integrity Work Group supports the Ethics Office in overseeing the Code and quarterly reporting to senior leadership and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee of the TELUS Board. Members of the Integrity Work Group include representatives from Risk Management, People & Culture (Human Resources), Labour Relations, Legal Services, the Compliance & Privacy Office, TELUS International and the Chief Security Office.
Leaders In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, TELUS managers (referred to as leaders)
have responsibility to:
Be familiar with the Code and resolution procedures
Promote and maintain a climate in which honest, ethical and legal business conduct is
the norm
Identify any risks of non-compliance with this Code within their area of responsibility and
take appropriate steps to address such risks
Encourage open discussion and resolution of all ethical and conduct concerns
Maintain, without compromise, our ethical and other conduct standards in achieving
goals and objectives, no matter how important the goal or objective may be
Recognize team members whose behaviour and actions demonstrate strong ethical
decision making
Team members with internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure
control roles
In addition to the above responsibilities, team members who have roles regarding internal
controls and financial reporting and disclosure controls have, as outlined in the Policy on
Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information, the responsibility to make full, fair,
accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that TELUS files
with, or submits to, securities commissions and in other public communications made
by TELUS.
Members of the TELUS Board of Directors
TELUS Board members have the responsibility to notify the Chairman of the Board of any potential or perceived conflict of interest or
other Code issues which arise during the course of their Board service.
Team Members and Board Members who represent TELUS as directors on the boards of other organizations
In addition to the above responsibilities, TELUS team members and Board members who represent TELUS on the boards of other
organizations have the responsibility to notify the Chairman of the Board (if they are a Board member) or the TELUS Integrity Work
Group (if they are a team member) of any potential perceived conflict of interest or other Code issues which arise during the course
of their service on another organizations’ board. In providing such notice, Board members and team members should exercise due
care to ensure that they act in compliance with their fiduciary and other obligations to the other organization and, for example, do not
disclose that organization’s confidential information to TELUS, without prior written approval of that organization.
Ethics Office The Ethics Office is established to provide team members with a resource regarding ethical and conduct matters. This office
oversees the Code, conducts investigations, provides advice on ethical issues and conduct matters and develops and administers
training for TELUS’ expected standards of business conduct. The office reports on its activities, including on breaches of the Code,
to the President and Chief Executive Officer and financial officers (unless implicated) and to the Human Resources and
Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee of the Board on a quarterly basis.
Integrity Work Group
Leaders have aresponsibility for:
setting a good example
encouraging anenvironment of open and honest communication without fear of retaliation
taking prompt action when they are aware of ethical concerns
We take responsibilityfor our actions asindividuals, as teammembers, and as anorganization. We worktogether and supportone another
6 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
7 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Ethical Decision Making This Code reflects our commitment to high standards of integrity and ethical behaviour in our professional and business dealings. The
Code is intended to support open and frank discussion and the satisfactory resolution of ethical dilemmas. We encourage “asking
before acting.”
Each of us is responsible for striving to ensure our behaviour is ethical and for taking steps to resolve ethical dilemmas. The guidelines
in this Code are provided to assist with ethical decision-making. However, as business becomes increasingly complex, the Code
cannot provide guidance for every possible situation.
If you have an ethical issue with which you would like help, follow the process below, stopping at the point at which your situation
has been resolved.
1. Questions to Ask YourselfGather information and then determine if the situation you face is an ethical issue. The
questions below may help to clarify your situation and ethical action.
What is my immediate feeling about this?
Does this comply with company policies and procedures?
Is this legal?
Is this an expected part of my job?
How would others perceive this action?
Would I or TELUS be embarrassed if this situation were discussed in the media?
Would I be putting TELUS or myself at unnecessary risk?
What impact would this have on my or the company’s reputation?
Is this taking revenue or customers away from TELUS?
Does this affect my judgment to act in the best interests of TELUS?
We rely on all team members to use good judgment to guide behaviour and to ask questions in situations where the proper course
of action may be unclear.
2. Talk to Your LeaderOften your leader is in the best position to help you work through the issue. Your leader is responsible for supporting open discussion,
working through the ethical questions you have, and guiding your access to further assistance as required. In situations where you are
uncomfortable talking with your leader, or your leader is unable to help, you should refer to the next level of leadership or seek expert
assistance as detailed in the next section.
3. Expert AssistanceIf you have tried the above steps but still have questions, assistance is available through designated subject matter experts in People &
Culture (Human Resources), Legal Services, the Compliance & Privacy Office, the Chief Security Office, the Ethics Office, Regulatory
Affairs and Corporate Accounting & Financial Reporting. Names and contact telephone numbers are listed on the company’s internal
website, under Ethics. TELUS International team members may contact their Senior Vice President for People & Culture (Human
Resources).
TIP: Use these questionsto guide you to the bestcourse of action whenyou are faced with a difficult decision
4. TELUS EthicsLineYou may also contact the TELUS EthicsLine to request ethical guidance or make a good-faith
report about misconduct or a perceived violation of this Code, another company policy or
procedure, a law, questionable business practices, potential fraud or concerns or complaints
with respect to any accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matter. Reports may
be made anonymously.
A good-faith report alleging misconduct must be made promptly after the occurrence of a
violation or perceived violation, or after becoming aware of it. Failure to file a report promptly
may negatively impact TELUS’ ability to evaluate, investigate or resolve the alleged
misconduct.
The EthicsLine is operated by an independent company and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, by live operators who are fluent in multiple languages. EthicsLine operators
document and forward the report to the Ethics Office for review and handling following each
call or web contact. Where the report involves accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters, EthicsLine operators forward the report directly to the Executive Vice
President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, who will, as
appropriate, review and assess the seriousness of such report with one or more of:
The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
The Vice President Risk Management & Chief Internal Auditor
The Chief Data & Trust Officer, who oversees the Compliance and
Privacy [Office and team]
The Audit Committee of the TELUS Board
The Ethics Office forwards complaints regarding potential violation of laws to Legal Services
for review and handling.
Phone toll free: 1-888-265-4112 in North America. See website for other international dialing
instructions Web: link from www.telus.ethicspoint.com or company intranet
How the Ethics Office handles Inquiries: The Ethics Office will assist team members in ethical decision-making by providing guidance concerning the Code. The Ethics
Office may also refer to other subject matter experts within TELUS for assistance.
How the Ethics Office handles Complaints: a) Assessment of complaint
The Ethics Office will assess the nature of the complaint which will be reviewed under the direction of Legal Services in appropriate
cases. The following matters for which other remedies exist will not be investigated by the Ethics Office and will be redirected as
follows:
Labour relations issues - Labour Relations and immediate leader or other members of leadership Employment issues such as promotions, remuneration, reprimands, suspensions, dismissals - People & Culture (Human Resources) and immediate leader or other members of leadership Respectful Workplace issues such as harassment and discrimination - Respectful Workplace Office leadership
Customer service complaints - Customer Care or Client Care
With the exception of issues relating to union collective agreements matters, the Ethics Office will track all complaints,
including those that are redirected to other areas within TELUS for expert assistance, until they are resolved.
8 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
TELUS provides severalconfidential ways to gethelp with a question orconcern
TELUS EthicsLine
Phone toll free: 1-888-265-4112 in North America. See website forother international dialinginstructions
Web: link fromwww.telus.ethicspoint.com or company intranet
b) InvestigationAll complaints to the Ethics Office are taken seriously and investigated in a timely manner. If
substantiated, the complaint will be resolved through appropriate corrective action and/or
discipline. If you make a complaint and choose to identify yourself, you will be notified when
the Ethics Office has completed its review. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality
for those who contact the Ethics Office or who are accused of a breach of this Code
(although disclosure may be necessary in some cases to effectively conduct an investigation,
take corrective action or support legal proceedings or otherwise as required by law). It is
expected that all reports to the Ethics Office will be made in good faith. Deliberately or
recklessly making false complaints will result in disciplinary action up to and including
dismissal for just cause.
c) Protection for ReportingRetaliation or retribution against a team member for contacting the Ethics Office or for assisting or
participating in an investigation of a complaint violates our ethical principles and will not be tolerated.
If you feel you have been retaliated against, you should contact People & Culture (Human
Resources) or the Ethics Office immediately.
d) Opportunity to RespondIf it has been found that a team member has breached or has likely breached this Code,
the team member will be informed of the complaint in due course. He or she will be
provided the opportunity to respond and, where appropriate, to contribute to the
correction of the breach.
e) Reporting of BreachesAny breach of this Code will be reported to senior leadership with recommendations for action. Ethical issues reported to the Ethics
Office will be summarized quarterly and reported to the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee
of the Board, together with results of investigations, recommendations and action. The Executive Vice President, Corporate
Affairs, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary will report significant complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board.
f) File DocumentationRecords of the report and investigation, including contents of meetings, interviews, results of investigations and other relevant material, will be
maintained by the Ethics Office in a separate file, and managed in accordance with the TELUS Privacy Code and Record Retention Policy.
Disclosure of information internally will be strictly limited to a need-to-know basis.
5. Last Resort ResolutionIf an ethical issue remains unresolved, the Integrity Work Group is available as the body of last resort to discuss the issue and guide
the resolution of any ethical issue brought forward. Every ethical issue referred to the Integrity Work Group will first be reviewed by a
sub-committee of the Integrity Work Group to assess its merits and relevance. If the sub-committee determines, based upon a
review of the evidence submitted, that the issue has not been reported in good faith but is frivolous and / or vexatious, or that it is
made in bad faith, it may recommend to the Integrity Work Group that no further action be taken. The Integrity Work Group will review
the recommendation from the sub-committee and make a decision whether to assess the merits of the issue or determine that no
further action be taken. A decision that no further action be taken will be reported to the Human Resources and Compensation
Committee and to the Audit Committee of the Board.
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Team Members areexpected to fullycooperate with allinvestigations
TELUS will not tolerateretaliation against teammembers who reportsuspected misconductor provide information aspart of an investigation
Ethical Guidelines Information of Team TELUS and other Parties
Privacy of Communications As a telecommunications service provider, we may have access to content of communications
transmitted on our facilities. We protect the privacy of customer communications by taking reasonable
steps to secure communications against tampering, intrusion or disclosure except as authorized by
law. This includes appropriate safeguards to protect the content, nature and existence of telephone
calls and data transmissions against improper release to third parties.
A team member may intercept a private communication only when such interception is
necessary for the purpose of providing the service, for the purpose of quality control checks,
to protect the company's facilities from fraudulent abuse, or when otherwise authorized by
law.
If a team member comes across a suspected illegal activity (e.g. child pornography) in the
course of their work, they should report it immediately to the Chief Security Office which will
determine the appropriate course of action such as reporting to the appropriate authority.
In order to comply with privacy laws, protect confidential information and maintain a respectful
workplace, team members must not record workplace conversations or take photographs or
videos in the workplace with a recording device or camera (including, but not limited to, a
smartphone) without either obtaining prior consent from all parties included in the recording,
photograph or video or prior authorization from their leader or other TELUS management.
Team members should contact their leader or the Ethics Office for further information on
recording workplace conversations.
Confidentiality of Information We respect and protect the confidentiality, security and integrity of the information of others
whether it belongs to other team members, partners, suppliers, customers or competitors and
we earn trust through effective and ethical management of their information.
The definition of “customer” includes our direct customers, customers who are also our competitors, third party customers
(customers of our customers), and may include team members who are also our customers. All customer and team member
personal information is confidential and may not be disclosed except as outlined in the TELUS Privacy Code and as permitted by
law.
Access to team member, partner, supplier and customer personal information is strictly
controlled on a “need-to-know” basis and is used for legitimate business purposes only.
The TELUS Privacy Code and related practices set out guidelines for managing customer,
supplier and team member personal information. Various areas of the company may have
additional supporting management practices in place. Refer to your leader for more
information.
10 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Each of us isresponsible forprotecting the confidentiality, integrity,and availability ofproprietary informationthat belongs to TELUS,our customers, vendors,partners and others withwhom we do business
Protect customer Confidential informationand respect customerprivacy by following ourPrivacy Policies
11 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Case Studies
Problem
My friend calls me at work in the Call Centre to ask me to look up the address and phone number of a TV personality since this
information is not listed in the public directory. Should I look this up and provide the information?
Action
No. Unless you have a legitimate business reason to look up the information, you should not even access this
customer’s account and should certainly not provide the requested information to your friend.
Problem
My next-door neighbour is a good friend of the family of one of my former team members who now works for a different leader.
My neighbour asks me how this team member is doing. I explain that he no longer works on my team and is away from the
office on stress leave. Should I have discussed my former team member’s status with a close family friend?
Action
No. It is not appropriate for you to discuss the status of your former team member even though you know your
neighbour is a close family friend. Team members are reminded that, as a general rule, it is inappropriate to disclose
personal information of our team members for non-work related purposes. Of particular concern is sensitive personal
information such as health or financial information and information about disciplinary action. This is contrary to our
Privacy Code.
Problem
Today I had a challenging experience with a customer and I could not make them happy. I have my own blog on our intranet and
would like to post my experience so that I can get suggestions from my team members on how to handle similar situations. Should I
post this?
Action
Soliciting feedback from your team members is an excellent idea; however, you should act cautiously. Even though
you are posting this internally, you must protect the privacy of your customer. Review what you intend to post to
ensure you are not identifying your customer and, if in doubt, discuss with your leader before posting.
Problem
My sister is in a marital dispute with her spouse. Is it acceptable to help her by looking up the calling and account details of her
spouse?
Action
No. Unless you have a business reason to look up the information, you should not even access this customer’s
account and should certainly not provide the requested information to your sister.
12 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Integrity Personal and Corporate Integrity Individually and collectively, our personal integrity supports the honest use of time, funds and
property in ethical dealings with co-workers and others. Business needs must take priority in
the allocation of our time at work. Use of company time and property is for business purposes
only unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate leadership. While we respect the privacy
and autonomy of our team members in their personal lives, their actions, both in the
workplace and outside it, have the potential to negatively impact the reputation of our
company.
Compliance with Laws We comply with all applicable laws of the countries where we conduct business. Team members should understand and comply with
the laws that relate to their work. It is the responsibility of leaders to ensure that members of their team are aware of their responsibilities
in this regard and to seek advice from Legal Services, People & Culture (Human Resources), Regulatory Affairs or Taxation if they are
unsure, especially for transactions that cross international borders or involve foreign laws
Team members should be aware that many countries have laws that regulate the import and
export of goods, services, software and technology for a variety of reasons, including national
security and foreign policy.
Competing Ethically/Lawfully/Fairly We consciously apply high standards of courtesy, professionalism, fairness and honesty when
dealing with partners, suppliers, customers and competitors. We will report unethical practices
by any other party to our leader or the TELUS EthicsLine. We do not support any form of
dishonesty, including facilitation payments or other types of bribery, kickbacks and extortion,
either directly or indirectly through an agent or third party. Local customs do not provide an
exception to this requirement. Team members should be aware there are national and
international laws regarding bribery and corruption that apply to TELUS and that have
significant potential civil and criminal penalties for violations. Team members should refer to
the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy for further details.
Facilitation payments are typically small, unofficial payments made to secure or expedite the performance of a routine government
action by a government employee or official. For example, a team member might be asked for a facilitation payment in order to
obtain routine permits to do business, to process visas and work orders, to obtain mail or telephone services, or to expedite
shipments through customs. Facilitation payments are bribes and are strictly prohibited, even where they may not be illegal in a
particular jurisdiction. Further guidance on bribes may be found under Gifts and Benefits below and in the Anti-Bribery and
Corruption Policy.
We are fair in what we say about others’ products and services and do not improperly seek corporate trade secrets or confidential
information belonging to others. If we receive unsolicited information that appears to be another party’s corporate trade secrets or
confidential information without the owner’s consent, we will immediately inform our leader and not copy, distribute, or use it until
we have obtained guidance from our leadership and/or Legal Services. Team members or contractors who have worked for a
partner, supplier, customer or competitor will not be requested to provide confidential information about that party. This does not
preclude gathering information with the owner’s consent or from the public domain. Team members should refer to the TELUS
Code of Conduct for Business Sales Activities for further details.
We are committed tousing our resourcesappropriately and wisely
Leaders are expectedto promote TELUS’ethical culture
It is never appropriateto offer, pay, or receivebribes or kickbacks. Immediately notifyLegal Services or theEthics office about anypayment or gift that is offered to you, orrequested from you,that you believe may be a bribe, kickback,solicitation of a bribe orkickback
We are committed to lawful competition based upon the merits of our products and services
and do not support any agreements or actions that restrict or impede fair competition in
contravention of applicable law. Competition (anti-trust) law is complex, and global in reach,
and its application depends on the facts of a particular case. Team members with sales,
marketing and pricing responsibilities, as well as senior leadership, function in areas that tend
to involve risks for violating competition laws, particularly matters that include:
Establishing terms and conditions as well as pricing and promotional strategies for TELUS
products and services
Developing advertising materials for TELUS products and services
Negotiating, communicating or interacting with competitors handling or using data about
competitors
Participating in trade associations that include competitors as participants, or
Selecting or negotiating with vendors
Team members performing these functions should consult with Legal Services to ensure they
are appropriately educated and trained with respect to competition law, and that they receive
appropriate advice and specific guidelines to address relevant competition law issues that are
applicable to their situation. Team members are also required to report to Legal Services any
contravention or suspected breach of competition law requirements. In addition, it is often
essential to involve legal counsel early in the process of developing new commercial initiatives
given the many uncertainties that can arise in the application of this area of law.
Dealing with Governments TELUS values its relationships with governments at all levels. Team members dealing with
governments must be aware of legal, regulatory and policy requirements in such areas as
lobbying, gifts and benefits, conflict of interest, bribery and corruption, hiring ex-government
employees and procurement processes. Team members should also refer to the TELUS
Code of Conduct for Business Sales Activities and the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy for
further details.
TELUS actively and openly communicates with all levels of governments and legislators, expressing views that affect our
business and our industry. Team members or consultants acting on behalf of TELUS do not engage in lobbying activity unless
they are registered as lobbyists and authorized to do so by TELUS’ Government Relations. Team members having contact with
elected officials, their staff, civil servants or crown corporations’ employees should consult with the Government Relations team
to ensure compliance with the appropriate lobbying regulations.
Team members should be aware of laws and regulations restricting or prohibiting government officials from accepting gifts or
entertainment or from placing those officials in an actual or perceived conflict of interest with regard to their employer.
Team members should be aware of restrictions placed by governments on their former employees from accepting employment or
work, or advising or accepting appointment to a board of directors of entities with which they had significant official dealings for a
specified period of time after leaving government employment.
13 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
We are committed tocomply with the laweverywhere in the worldthat we operate
Learn and follow allrequirements whendealing with thegovernment as acustomer
We have a responsibilityto be a good corporatecitizen
Political Activities As private citizens, we are free to make personal contributions to causes, candidates or
political parties of our choice. Unless expressly approved by TELUS, we will not associate
TELUS with our personal political activities. TELUS will not reimburse personal political
donations in any form. As a responsible corporate citizen, TELUS will occasionally make
contributions to a political party, campaign or candidate in Canada, as a means of supporting
the democratic process, but only where legally permitted and not to secure favours or
preferential treatment. All political contributions, whether direct, sponsorship or in-kind, must be
made through the Government Relations team. No political contributions are permitted in
countries other than Canada.
Proprietary Rights and Assets of Others We respect the proprietary rights and assets of others. These include both tangible properties and intangible assets such as those
protected by intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights include trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs,
confidential information, know-how and trade secrets. Examples of assets containing intellectual property rights that we may come
across in our work include, but are not limited to, written materials, logos, creative suggestions, pictures, audio and video products
and computer software. We respect licenses and conditions of use that apply to the intellectual property of others. Copyright
materials are not copied in whole or in part, or used in violation of any law or agreement with vendors, licensors or any other party.
Software license conditions may be included in instruction manuals, in separate documents, or on the disk itself, and breaking the
seal on a disk package may constitute acceptance of the stated agreement.
Human Rights We are committed to treating all current, potential and past team members, and all partners,
suppliers, shareholders, and customers (and others who deal with us) in a non-discriminatory
and harassment free manner and to maintaining a work environment that supports the
contribution, worth and human rights of all team members. We believe the diversity of our
team is a significant competitive advantage and we believe diversity thrives when we honour
the traditions, beliefs, lifestyles, abilities and perspectives of all members of our team.
Every team member has the right to a workplace that is free of unacceptable behaviours such
as discrimination and harassment and has the obligation to treat others in the same manner.
Unacceptable behaviours include discrimination and harassment based on race, national or
ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability
and conviction for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension
has been ordered.
It should be noted that the TELUS “work environment” and “workplace” is not limited to TELUS’ business premises and is not limited to
normal business hours. These terms also encompass any activities or events that happen outside of normal business hours or off
TELUS business premises, but are linked to the TELUS workplace and the team member’s employment with TELUS.
Though the spirit of the law is the same, the human rights legislation that TELUS companies are subject to may differ slightly,
depending on which company is involved and which jurisdiction it is operating in. For example, some of the grounds for discrimination
and harassment may differ slightly. Details are provided in the Respectful Workplace Policy to which team members are referred for
more information.
Our commitment to inclusiveness includes the provision of workplace accommodation in accordance with the law to permit qualified
persons who face some barrier (e.g. persons with disabilities) to do their jobs. Examples of accommodation may include physical or
technical changes to work stations and changes to work duties. Details are provided in the Workplace Accommodation Policy to which
Canadian team members are referred for more information.
14 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Your personal politicalcontributions andactivities must be keptseparate from TELUS
Each of us is a valuedmember of the team
Harassment or discrimination of any kind is not tolerated
Health and Safety We are committed to having healthy and safe operations in all our locations to protect the lives and health of our team members, to
protect our assets, to ensure business continuity and to engender public trust. When working on customer premises and public
thoroughfares, we safeguard the rights and safety of the customer, the public and ourselves as outlined in the Health and Safety Policy.
We monitor progress towards our objective of preventing injuries, illnesses and incidents and continually assess and improve, where
appropriate, our health and safety technologies and programs. We provide training to team members to help them understand and
incorporate safe behaviour in their daily business activities. We have operating standards, practices, systems and resources to
implement the Health and Safety Policy.
We are expected to report and to remain fit for work, without any limitation due to the effects of alcohol, illicit drugs, medication, or
any other mood altering substance, so that our ability to perform our job is not weakened, diminished, or adversely affected in any
way. Our actions with respect to the use of drugs, alcohol, and other mood altering substances not only reflect on us as individuals,
but on TELUS as a whole. Team members are referred to the TELUS Alcohol and Drug Corporate Policy for further details.
We are committed to providing a safe and violence-free workplace for all team members. Workplace violence may include conduct
such as bullying, teasing, abusive and other aggressive behaviours. Workplace violence is not only an employee health and safety
issue, but also may be a criminal law issue. Consequently, workplace violence will not be tolerated and every incident will be
investigated. Team members are referred to the Violence Prevention in the Workplace: Investigation and Reporting Policy for further
details.
Involvement in a legal matter If you are involved in a legal matter, whether of a civil, criminal or regulatory nature, that has the potential to affect your ability to perform
your job or harm the reputation or interests of TELUS, you must immediately inform your leader.
Environment TELUS is committed to being an environmental leader by meeting or surpassing applicable
legal and regulatory requirements regarding the protection of the environment. We embrace
this responsibility to all of our stakeholders by integrating environmental considerations into our
business operations. We support sustainable development and offer innovative
telecommunications solutions that include environmental benefits, and we look to minimize
waste generation and energy consumption in all of our activities. Striving for continuous
improvement guides our approach.
Detailed information on our commitment to the environment can be found in our Environmental
Policy and the company’s internal website, under Environment, where team members will find
guidance on our environmental management system and all environmental procedures,
including the immediate reporting of all spills and hazardous chemical releases.
Sustainability In addition to being committed to doing business fairly, honestly, ethically and legally, we are committed to doing business in a
sustainable manner. Team members are encouraged to consider economic, social and environmental factors in their day to day
strategic planning, decision making and operations.
Detailed information on our Sustainability vision and focus areas can be found in our Sustainability report.
15 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
TELUS is committed to the protection of theenvironment and theconservation of naturalresources
Problem
We recently hired someone who held an executive position with one of our competitors. This person was deeply involved in
planning the competitor's expansion strategy and has information that would be very valuable to us. Can we ask him to disclose
confidential aspects of this information?
Action
No. The new team member has an obligation to protect his former company's confidential or proprietary
information, just as you would be obliged to protect the confidential or proprietary information of TELUS if you
were to leave the company. You must respect the team member's personal integrity as well as his obligation to
his former employer
Problem
I become aware that a team member is disclosing third party (competitors, suppliers, customers, etc.) confidential information to
other TELUS team members. What should I do?
Action
Report this to your leader or to the EthicsLine immediately. TELUS’ reputation could be significantly harmed by
such disclosure, and this could also expose TELUS to potential legal action. Taking immediate steps to contain
the confidential information is critical.
Problem
My leader frequently makes racist comments about one of my co-workers. This personally offends me but, because my leader is
involved, I don't feel I can speak up. What should I do?
Action
Racist comments are unacceptable. You have a right to express your disapproval of such comments – without
fear of reprisal. If you are uncomfortable approaching your leader, you should speak to the Respectful
Workplace Office in People & Culture (Human Resources) or your leader’s leader.
Problem
We use a contractor to dispose of hazardous materials such as lead. I know the contractor’s crew chief and I get the feeling that
they may not be disposing of the materials correctly, at least not according to the law. Should I care about this? After all, it is not
my company and they are probably saving us money.
Action
Yes, you should care because what the contractor is doing may expose TELUS to liability. In addition, improper
waste disposal is inconsistent with our commitment to sustainable practices and to reduce the environmental
impact of our activities. If team members believe someone we work with is doing something wrong they should
talk with their leader, the TELUS Environment department or call the EthicsLine.
Improper Influence on the Conduct of Audits
Team members, or any person acting under the direction of a team member, are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action
to improperly influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead the Company’s external or internal auditors or their representatives.
16 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Company Information As team members of TELUS, we have access to information about our company that belongs to
TELUS and is used by the company for its business. Unless specifically published for external
use and public dissemination has occurred, all company records, information, reports, data,
plans, processes and methods are considered company information and are prohibited from
disclosure without proper authorization. Access should be limited to those team members with a
legitimate business reason to know the information. Team members are referred to the
Corporate Security policies for further details on the classification and safeguarding of TELUS’
information assets.
Team members and past team members, must not use or disclose corporate trade secrets, competitive information or other confidential
and/or proprietary information to benefit themselves or others. In situations where we would be willing to share information, Legal
Services can assist in preparing a confidentiality agreement or license agreement to protect TELUS.
To protect the accuracy of our records, only approved software is to be used on TELUS equipment. No team member should
knowingly install or use a software program or code that could damage TELUS’ information assets. All team members are responsible
for taking reasonable measures to ensure that software and data is clear of malicious code and safe for use in TELUS’ electronic data
processing environment.
Public Disclosure TELUS is subject to strict securities rules regarding disclosure of financial and other material information to the public. Selective
disclosure of confidential information by any team member can create liabilities for TELUS and for that team member. All discussions
about TELUS in a public environment should comply with the Policy on Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information, to
which team members are referred for further details.
Examples of situations that may lead to inappropriate public disclosure include:
Participating in an investment-related discussion forum, social networking site, chat room, blog or bulletin board on the Internet
the team member must not discuss any confidential information about TELUS when participating in these activities.
Contact with a member of the investment community or the media. All inquiries from these groups must be referred to those team
members authorized to communicate on behalf of TELUS. For further information, contact Investor Relations or Corporate
Communications.
Presentations to business, educational, community groups or large internal audiences. Team members invited to make such
presentations should receive approval from the Vice President Investor Relations prior to accepting the invitation. In addition, all such
public speeches and presentations must be provided in advance to Investor Relations for review where requested by them.
Business Records Accurate, reliable records are essential for effective company management to enable us to meet our business, legal and financial
obligations. We strive to ensure all reports (whether for external or internal use), records and other data are factual, complete, timely
and understandable. Restricted and confidential information should be properly identified and respected as such.
Every business needs an orderly process for retaining and disposing of records and documents in order to comply with legal and
regulatory requirements. Team members are referred to the Records Retention Policy for guidance on minimum and maximum
retention periods, storage of records, and suspension of records destruction due to a potential or on-going litigation matter or
investigation and where to obtain further information.
It is a violation of this Code as well as other TELUS policies to create false or misleading company records or documents (including, for
example, contracts, orders, time sheets, benefit claims, adjustments and expense statements).
Corporate assets andinformation are to onlybe used for approvedbusiness purposes
5 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct 5 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
17 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Company Assets and Information Company assets are both physical (e.g. equipment, real estate, supplies, tools, funds, communications networks) and non-physical
(e.g. software, non-public information, electronic records, intellectual property, brand, goodwill, reputation). We take appropriate care
to protect company assets and information against undue risks, exposures and liabilities.
18 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Intellectual property canbe many things such asmarketing strategies,business plans andother items. If you arenot certain, contactLegal Services
Financial Transactions All team members are expected to understand their role and responsibility for the company’s financial transactions and records and
follow approved procedures to protect, report, control and accurately reflect these transactions. Team members are referred to the
Signing Authority Policy and other Finance policies for further details.
It is a violation of the Corporate Credit Card Policy and /or Employee Expense Policy to misuse company-issued credit cards or
make misrepresentations on expense statements. We do not tamper with the network to bypass billing and we do not make
unauthorized charges or credits to customer accounts.
Team members whose duties involve authentication and approval are responsible for the close scrutiny and timely verification of all
documents upon which monies are paid or received in compliance with TELUS policies.
Safeguarding Assets We display pride of ownership on behalf of the TELUS team as we protect company facilities, equipment, tools, supplies, vehicles,
funds, communication networks and information systems against loss, theft, damage, vandalism, neglect, unauthorized use and
unauthorized disposal.
Team members are expected to take reasonable measures to safeguard access controls such as passwords, identification cards,
keys, cards and hand-held user authentication devices. We are careful not to compromise security of sites by leaving access doors
open and unattended. It is also important that we not share our company-provided computer or other communication devices or
their access passwords. Team members are the first line of defense in protecting TELUS assets.
Intellectual Property Our intellectual property is a valuable TELUS asset. Intellectual property rights enable TELUS to
be known and recognized in the market place and help distinguish our products and services
from those of our competitors. Intellectual property rights also protect the valuable intangible
assets generated or acquired by the TELUS team. At TELUS, we work together to protect our
intellectual property just as we respect the proprietary rights of others as noted above.
Intellectual property rights include trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs,
confidential information, know-how and trade secrets. Examples of materials involving
intellectual property rights that we may come across in our work include, but are not limited to,
branding, logos, creative suggestions and ideas, pictures, audio and video products, written
materials and computer software. When our team creates intellectual property – individually or
as part of a team – this property is owned by TELUS and we work to document the ownership
of such intellectual property.
Team members should contact Legal Services for further information about intellectual property
matters or the Brand Office for information on use of our brand.
Personal Use of Communication Devices In our future friendly world, communication devices (whether the company’s or our own) are used for both business and personal
purposes. Electronic communication may occur via a wide range of devices including, but not limited to, computers, telephones,
smartphones, webcams and fax machines. This can take the form of emails, texting, Internet searches, photographs, videos, audio
files, blogs, social networking, peer-to-peer file transfers and physical exchange of media (e.g., CD’s, USB storage devices and
devices such as iPods). As we communicate in any of these ways, we may identify ourselves as TELUS team members either by
naming the company or by virtue of email or IP addresses.
Limited personal useof company systems is permissible if within theCode
19 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
While we permit team members to use TELUS-provided communications devices for personal purposes, such use should be limited,
should not interfere with our duties or negatively impact TELUS in any way. We expect any such personal use to take place before or
after the normal working day, or during reasonable permitted breaks from business work, subject to local leadership approval and the
needs of the business.
Team members must comply with all TELUS policies when using TELUS-provided communication devices for personal use. We are
responsible for all of our actions while using such devices. TELUS uses automated tools to log team member use of its networks (e.g.
voice, email, messaging, Intranet and Internet) and related equipment and devices and to monitor traffic (including content) on its
networks in order to detect security threats and other problems. Team members are referred to the Corporate Security policies for
further details on the acceptable use of company-provided equipment and devices and to the Social Media Guidelines for more
information on blogs, wikis and social networking. Improper use of the company’s networks, equipment and devices may result in
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for just cause.
In our personal electronic communications using either TELUS-provided devices or personal devices where we are identified as a
TELUS team member, we should:
Remember that these communications provide a permanent record and we may be operating in a public space
Use common sense when offering our personal opinions to avoid subjecting either TELUS or ourselves to legal action. To help
avoid confusion, add the following notice: “the views expressed on this website/weblog/email are mine alone and do not necessarily
reflect the views of my employer”
Not disclose information that is confidential to TELUS or provided in confidence to TELUS
Show respect towards other persons and organizations and avoid defamatory, discriminatory, harassing or sexual messages
Avoid offensive content of any kind, including pornography and materials promoting violence, discrimination or hatred
Not display the TELUS logo or brand images in personal communications without written permission from a senior leader or the
Brand Office
Not disclose personal information about ourselves that we do not want the public to be aware of, nor disclose personal information
about others
Problem
I have a friend who is starting a new business and has asked me for a list of TELUS customers who might be interested in her
services. Is it ok to provide a list of potential customers?
Action
No. Our customer lists are private and should never be shared with anyone outside TELUS (or with anyone inside
TELUS who does not need the information to do his or her job).
Problem
I am a member of a team working on a part of the quarterly financial results. In the course of my work, I regularly see the draft
package of all the results before they are approved for release. One evening, my neighbor asks me, “How is TELUS doing
these days?” In this casual conversation, is it acceptable if I answer, “Well, I can tell you one thing: the results are really good
this quarter.”
Action
No, this is not acceptable. This information is not yet public and therefore it should be regarded as confidential and/or
proprietary company information. In addition, if this information is material (i.e. would reasonably be expected to have a
significant effect on the value or price of TELUS shares), you would be engaging in “tipping” in violation of securities
law and the Policy on Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information.
20 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Problem
I would like to search for a new car on the Internet and compare notes with friends on a social networking site. Is this allowed
from my workstation?
Action
It depends. Reasonable personal use of your TELUS-provided communication device to access the Internet is
allowed provided it complies with our policies, is carried out on personal time, does not interfere with your work or
negatively impact TELUS in any way. Remember that business needs must take priority in the allocation of our time at
work.
Problem
While surfing the web, I came across a forum where people discuss TELUS products and services. I saw questions, praise
and some criticism of TELUS. What should I do?
Action
Unless you are a specifically authorized TELUS spokesperson in this forum, we encourage you not to participate in
discussions about TELUS on the Internet. You may open yourself and TELUS to unacceptable risk since you may
inadvertently disclose confidential information about TELUS as you defend the company or be viewed as speaking
on behalf of TELUS when you have not been authorized to do so.
If you do participate in such discussions in a personal capacity (i.e. not identified as a TELUS team member) you
may not discuss confidential information about TELUS.
If you are providing a positive review of TELUS products and services, or endorsing or recommending TELUS products and services, you must identify that you work for TELUS. Best practice however is that you should refrain
from reviewing or commenting on TELUS products or services in social media or public forum platforms altogether.
Conflict of Interest As team members, our first business loyalty must be to TELUS. We must avoid situations or
relationships that conflict with the interests of the company and our duties to TELUS. A
conflict arises whenever we allow, or appear to allow, personal interests or relationships to
impair our judgment and ability to make work related decisions with integrity and honesty. By
thinking of ourselves first, we may act in a way that is damaging, or potentially damaging, to
TELUS. We may also harm our personal reputation. In such circumstances, team members
must take action to eliminate the conflict of interest or the perception of a conflict of interest.
We must disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest to our leader. Each situation must be
considered individually and the potential for conflict of interest determined based on the
parties involved, level of access to business information, decision-making authority, job
duties/responsibilities, position within the organization and potential impact on others. If we are
in a conflict or are unsure, we should complete a “Conflict of Interest Questionnaire” available
on the company intranet and submit it to the Ethics Office.
The following is intended as a guide in those areas in which conflicts of interest most often
arise. It is not intended to be definitive or all-inclusive, as guidelines cannot cover every
situation that could give rise to a conflict of interest.
Doing what’s right for TELUS is important. It means avoiding situations that create, or appear to create, a conflict between TELUS' benefit and my personal benefit
21 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Personal Gain Conflict of interest may occur when a team member or family member gains a personal benefit
from: a business relationship with TELUS, or from an outside business with which TELUS has a
relationship such as a partner, supplier, customer, competitor, contractor, consultant,
agent, or dealer. This personal benefit may take the form of an ownership interest in, or a role
as a director, officer or employee of, an entity that is engaged in a business relationship with
TELUS.
Team members may not:
Be involved in any negotiations or transactions on behalf of TELUS with partners, suppliers, customers, contractors, consultants,
agents, or outside parties where the team member has a personal, commercial or financial interest in the outcome of the
negotiations, or transactions unrelated to their role at TELUS
Access or make adjustments to their own TELUS accounts or services or those of their family or friends
This guideline does not prohibit team members from holding publicly traded shares of an entity with which TELUS has a business
relationship or a competitor provided that the team member does not have a significant investment in the entity and does not acquire
the shares based on material undisclosed confidential information obtained as a result of employment with TELUS or by being a
member of the Board of a TELUS company.
Family Members and Personal Relationships
A conflict of interest may occur when a team member has the ability to enhance or promote the interests of a family member.
Team members may not: Participate in a decision to hire, transfer or promote a family member, or be in a position of direct or indirect influence over a
family member as an employee or contractor. Team members recommending the hire of an employee or retainer of a contractor
must disclose any current or past relationships, both professional and personal.
Supervise a family member nor have direct or indirect authority over employment or contract-related decisions that impact
a family member such as pay, performance ratings, work assignments, discipline, training or termination.
Access or make adjustments to the accounts or services of family members, friends, co-workers or acquaintances without
authorization from their leader. Team members in Customer Solutions Delivery may only do so if specifically authorized by trouble
ticket or customer order and authorization is gained from their leader.
For the purposes of this part of the Code, “Family member” is defined as a spouse (including common-law spouse and same-sex
partner), child, stepchild, parent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, grandchild, in-law (including mother-in-law,
father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law). It also includes close personal friendships and any person
(other than domestic employees) residing in the same household as the TELUS team member.
Situations may arise where broader familial relationships, friendships and other close personal associations (e.g. persons residing in
same household as the TELUS team member) cause real or perceived conflicts of interest or the possibility of real or perceived
improper influence. Team members should be sensitive to these concerns and demonstrate good business judgment in the best
interest of TELUS and in keeping with the spirit and intent of this Code. Any uncertainty should be discussed with the appropriate
People & Culture (Human Resources) business partner or with the Ethics Office.
TELUS Board members must disclose any family or personal relationship with TELUS team members or with TELUS job applicants to
the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Board in order that the Committee may determine whether the relationship
impacts the Director’s independent status.
Board members, executives and senior leaders have a duty to disclose whether they have a relationship with the company’s external
auditor.
All team members mustdisclose any potentialor actual conflict totheir leader
22 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Outside employment and other non-TELUS activities We are free to engage in outside business activities on our own time. However, these activities
must not conflict, or have the potential to conflict, with TELUS’ best interests or with our ability
to perform our job for TELUS. As a general guideline, we may not work for, or be engaged in
business activities for, enterprises that are competitors or suppliers of TELUS. A conflict may
also arise if, for example, we use assets such as our corporate phone or laptop, or tools paid
for or developed by TELUS when engaged in such outside business activities. If you are
considering starting your own business or accepting a second job, you are required to advise
your leader to ensure there is no conflict of interest.
It is a conflict of interest to have an outside interest that demands so much time and energy that it interferes with the team member’s
ability to do TELUS work. This could include any personal, community and charitable activities that require time and effort during
normal working hours, except for situations where the individual is acting in a representative capacity at the request of TELUS with
the explicit and written permission of his or her leader.
Future TELUS Business Over time, TELUS may expand into new businesses or change its product lines or services. Team members are responsible for re-
examining their individual situations on a regular basis to avoid becoming involved in a conflict of interest situation where no such
conflict previously existed.
Information Team members may not disclose or use for any personal reason, including personal gain, any confidential information (including
competitive intelligence) obtained through employment with TELUS or by being a member of the Board of a TELUS company.
Insider Trading As detailed in the TELUS Insider Trading Policy and summarized here, team members may not trade in shares or other securities of
TELUS or any other company while in possession of undisclosed material information relative to the company whose securities are
being traded. Nor may team members inform or tip any other person, including their family, of any undisclosed material information,
other than in the “necessary course of business”. The “necessary course of business” exception is a limited one and exists so as
not to unduly interfere with a company’s ordinary business activities. Please see the TELUS Insider Trading Policy for more
information.
Material information in respect of a company is information that could reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the
market price or value of any securities of that company.
Gifts and Benefits A gift can be anything of value. A gift may include tangible items such as cash, jewelry and art public.
A benefit includes intangible items such as discounts, services, loans, favours, special privileges, preferential treatment, advantages,
and rights that are not available to the general public. They include invitations to sporting, cultural, charitable or social events, or access
to discounts and loyalty programs. While their value may sometimes be difficult to quantify in dollars, they may be highly valued by the
intended recipient and therefore used to influence their behaviour.
It is important to remember that “anything of value” can also include things that benefit the recipient’s family members or friends.
It’s not possible tolist every potentialconflict of interestsituation. If you arenot sure, contactthe Ethics Office
23 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
It TELUS team members shall not authorize, offer or accept, directly or indirectly, gifts, or
benefits to or from any organization or person having business dealings with TELUS other than
as described below. These guidelines apply at all times and do not change during traditional
giving events or seasons.
It is not a conflict of interest to authorize, offer or accept hospitality or entertainment or to offer a
discount or gift certificate for TELUS products and services, provided it is reasonable, and is
within the limits of responsible and generally accepted business practices. However, team
members should not authorize, offer or accept gifts or benefits that are intended to influence, or
appear to influence, a particular business decision.
Gifts of cash or cash equivalent (such as a gift card) should not be authorized, offered or
accepted, regardless of the amount.
Reasonable gifts and entertainment are courtesies intended to engender goodwill and positive
working relationships among business partners. We do not, however, want to use improper
means to obtain business or gain any special advantage in a business relationship.
Gifts and benefits that are acceptable for TELUS team members to authorize, offer or accept
in the normal course of business are typically less than $250 Canadian or the close equivalent
in other currencies and include:
Attendance at local sporting or cultural events
Business lunches or dinners
Transportation to or from the customer’s or supplier’s place of business
Hospitality suites
Small seasonal holiday gifts or prizes to be used in office draws and raffles
Business meals and entertainment provided by external parties must be unsolicited, infrequent with any particular business or
person, in good taste, and undertaken for legitimate business reasons, including engendering goodwill. If the provider of the meal
or entertainment is not in attendance, it is considered a gift and can only be of nominal value.
If you are not sure whether a gift or benefit is acceptable, ask yourself:
Would the gift be considered customary given the nature of your role with TELUS?
If the gift or benefit was reported in the media or to the TELUS President and CEO, would the perception be neutral or positive?
Would the gift complement or enhance a business relationship?
For offers of hospitality or entertainment, is the person extending the offer attending with you?
If the answers to these questions are “yes”, and based on your good faith assessment, you may accept the gift.
If the answers to these questions are “no”, you should politely decline the gifts or entertainment. If that would be difficult or
embarrassing to the provider, ask your leader or contact the Ethics Office for advice.
TIP: Use theseguidelines andquestions whenconsidering gifts andbenefits. If teammembers are everunsure, contact theEthics office.
Team members shouldnot authorize, offer oraccept gifts or benefits that are intended to influence or may appear to influence business decisions
24 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
It is important to remember that while something less than $250 is typically considered an
acceptable value for a gift or benefit, in certain circumstances it may be considered a bribe
(and therefore not permitted) since a bribe does not have a specific minimum value. A bribe is
any payment, gift or benefit that is intended to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in
a position of power, authority or trust to try to obtain a business advantage. It also includes a
payment, gift or other benefit that is intended to reward a person for a business advantage that
has already been given. As mentioned above in the context of facilitation payments, bribe
amounts can often be relatively small. The determining element is the exchange of personal
benefit for business advantage. Reasonable hospitality conferred with a view to engendering
goodwill and without an expectation of a specific business advantage in return is not a bribe.
It may be appropriate to attend third-party paid seminars, conferences or vendor-hosted
events if there is a clear benefit to TELUS for attending and the attendance is approved in
advance by the team member’s leader. To avoid a real or perceived conflict of interest, team
members should consider having TELUS fund incremental expenses (e.g. airfare and hotel).
Team members with supplier selection, negotiation, purchasing or contract management roles
within TELUS are subject to more stringent professional purchasing requirements regarding
gifts and benefits and maintaining appropriate relationships with suppliers and should therefore
not accept any gifts or benefits from suppliers or potential suppliers without the explicit and
written permission of their leader. Where the value of any gift or benefit is $250 or greater, the
leader must also provide a copy of his or her authorization of that particular gift or benefit to
the Ethics Office at [email protected] (including a description of the gift or benefit,
approximate value, the name of the party conferring the gift or benefit and the reason).
Team members with supplier selection, negotiation, purchasing or contract management roles are
not limited to team members within the Procurement and Supply Chain Management team, but
include team members in any area of TELUS that have the ability to either make or influence
decisions around matters including:
The selection of suppliers, including service providers such as law firms, accounting firms, IT professionals, consultants, and suppliers of any type of hardware, software, equipment or other tangible itemsThe negotiation of contract terms with one or more supplier(s)The volume of goods or services to be purchased or acquired from one or more supplier(s) The ongoing management of the relationship with one or more supplier(s), including decisions whether to renew or terminate any
such relationship
Problem
A vendor has offered me tickets to a local hockey game. Can I accept them?
Action
Possibly. If the vendor is inviting you to attend the game with a representative of the vendor, this may be acceptable business
entertainment providing that it is:
• Undertaken for business reasons, including engendering goodwill
• Infrequent
• Without intent of influencing business decisions
• Consistent with our Code and values
Team members shouldnever use the giving of gifts, benefit orentertainment to place undue influence on TELUS’ businesspartners
Where the value ofany gift or benefiis $250 or greater, the leader must alsoprovide a copy of hisor her authorization ofthat particular gift orbenefit to the Ethicsoffice [email protected]
25 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Problem I work in a senior marketing position at TELUS and operate my own business after hours. Though I use my marketing skills, the
business in no way competes with TELUS business and does not affect my ability to perform my duties at TELUS. I started
small, working out of my basement, but my business is gradually generating more and more revenue. I am considering hiring a
part-time manager, as I am not ready to leave my full-time employment. Once my own business can pay me as much as
TELUS does, I will devote my full attention to it. I have the best of both worlds - a salary from TELUS and a blossoming business
for future security. Is this a conflict of interest?
Action
No. If, however, TELUS decides in the future to enter the same line of business that your company is in, you will be in
a conflict of interest position, even though you were in that business first. You must then decide which of your two
interests, your own company or your employer’s, will receive your full attention. Since TELUS is not currently in the
same line of business as your company, you are operating ethically, as long as it remains an after-hours pursuit and
does not interfere with your ability to perform your job for TELUS to the best of your abilities.
Problem
I recently married the owner of a local franchise selling a competitor’s cellular phone service. We have agreed not to talk about
our days at work. Recently, my leader advised me that I could be in a conflict of interest position. What should I do?
Action
You are in a situation that may leave the impression of a conflict of interest. Even though you and your new spouse
have decided not to talk about your business lives, people outside the marriage—including your employer—may
perceive you are in a conflict of interest position. You should discuss your situation further with your leader and the
Ethics Office as necessary and identify the extent to which your access to TELUS’ information could benefit your
spouse’s company and develop alternatives to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Problem
I install telecommunications inside wiring for TELUS small and medium-sized business customers. With the growth of
communications services, demand for my expertise is booming. Can I take advantage of this opportunity and start up an
installation business on my own time?
Problem
Part of my job involves the selection of technology suppliers. One day, a technology supplier phoned me and offered me and
my family free use of his luxury vacation condominium. He says he is not using it and it would be a shame to have it sit empty.
Can I accept the offer to use the supplier’s condominium?
Action
No. The supplier has made a very generous offer which could appear to be offered in exchange for future special
treatment from you in your position with TELUS. You should decline the offer.
Problem
While at lunch, I overheard a conversation between two other TELUS team members regarding company plans to make a
minority investment in a business that develops communications software. Can I buy shares in the software company or
suggest to my spouse that she do so?
Action
No. Although you found out about TELUS’ planned investment by accident, you are prohibited from buying shares by
virtue of the fact that you are a member of the TELUS team. Your spouse is also prohibited, because she would be
obtaining information about the proposed investment from you, a TELUS team member. However, you and your
spouse will be able to buy shares when TELUS’ investment in the software company becomes publicly disclosed.
Action No. You cannot engage in any outside activity that might take business away from TELUS or any of its subsidiaries.
26 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Problem
As a network engineer with TELUS, I have significant influence over the selection of the company’s suppliers. I have known the
owner of one of TELUS’ suppliers since we were kids and have always maintained a close personal relationship. I have no
personal, commercial or financial interest in the supplier. Is there still an appearance of conflict?
Action
Yes. Although you may not have a personal, commercial or financial interest in the outcome of the business relationship
with this person, there may still be an appearance of bias or preferential treatment towards their company. You must
eliminate the perception of conflict of interest by removing yourself from any selection process involving that company or
by having a second person (a superior or a peer) co-approve the supplier selection decision.
Problem
I am a customer service manager with TELUS and my nephew is seeking employment as an engineer with TELUS. Am I able to
recommend him for employment?
Action
Yes. To avoid a conflict of interest, you should have no involvement in the selection decision. However, you may provide
a written personal reference to the appropriate HR recruiter.
Problem
I am travelling abroad later this month and need to get a work visa quickly. The person processing my request at the embassy
has said that they can speed up the process if I pay a small fee in cash. Is this okay?
Action
It depends. If it is an official fee that the embassy charges for published “fast-track” services, payment of this fee would
be O.K. However, if it is a payment to the person processing the request, then it is a bribe and prohibited. You must ask
for a receipt or other official documentation as proof that the fee is legitimate. If the person will not provide any official
documentation for the payment and you are uncertain whether it is legitimate, you should first consult with your leader or
the Compliance and Privacy Office.
Dealing with Suppliers We value our relationship with suppliers (including contractors and consultants) and those
acting on behalf of TELUS because they contribute to our overall success. We strive to ensure
our business dealings with them are ethical and that they understand our expectations of them
as outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Selecting Suppliers We strive to award business to suppliers who are in compliance with applicable laws in their
business operations, including in their relationships with their employees, their communities
and TELUS.
We strive to select our suppliers based upon objective and fair criteria including, but not
necessarily limited to, business need, price, service, quality, reputation for ethical conduct
and health, safety and environmental business considerations.
Adherence to applicable TELUS policies We expect the suppliers with whom we do business to demonstrate values and standards similar to those in the applicable TELUS policies.
We strive to ensure that our suppliers are made aware of TELUS policies that are applicable to the work for which they are being
engaged.
Team members mustuse care and goodjudgment in selectingand maintainingrelationships with allof TELUS’ businesspartners
27 2016 TELUS Code of Ethics and Conduct
Supplier-funded incentive programs Supplier-funded incentive programs, often offered to our sales team by suppliers seeking to
sell their products and services, must be approved in advance by an authorized program
administrator who does not work with the eligible team members.
Review Guidelines and Policies If you need further assistance, consider the following additional policies as they may apply to
your situation.
Alcohol and Drug Corporate Policy
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
Attendance Policy
Code of Conduct for Business Sales Activities
Corporate Credit Card Policy
Corporate Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information
Corporate Security Policies and Corporate Security Manual
Employee Expense Policy
Environmental Policy
Insider Trading Policy
Policy on TELUS and the Charter of the French Language
Records Retention Policy
Respectful Workplace Policy
Signing Authority Policy
Social Media Guidelines
Supplier Code of Conduct
TELUS Health and Safety Policy
TELUS Privacy Code
Violence Prevention in the Workplace: Investigation and Reporting Policy
Workplace Accommodation Policy
Work Styles Policy
TELUS EthicsLine
Phone toll free: 1-888-265-4112 in North America. See website for other international dialing instructions
Web: www.telus.ethicspoint.com or company intranet
TELUS provides many resources to help you make ethical decisions. In addition to your leader, you may consult with the office of Ethics, Human Resources, Corporate Security, Legal Services, Privacy and Compliance, and Respectful Workplace